Ice skate blade guard roller apparatus

ABSTRACT

A roller apparatus mountable to an ice skate blade. The roller apparatus includes a pair of wheel assemblies having an axle mountable through apertures in a skate guard or a rail mounted over a skate guard which receives an ice skate blade. At least one of front and heel straps are mountable to the skate guard or the rail to releasibly secure the roller apparatus to an ice skate. The wheels are laterally spaced pairs of front and rear wheels or front and rear inline wheels.

BACKGROUND

While it is common for skaters, particularly hockey players, figureskaters and speed skaters, to put on their skates in a locker room andthen walk on padded or carpeted surfaces to the ice surface, such is notalways possible for amateur or recreational skaters. In many instances,skaters put on their skates at a location remote from the ice surfaceand then must walk over unprotected surfaces, such as concrete,hallways, grass, etc., to the ice arena before reaching the ice surface.

It is known that the edge of an ice skate blade must be kept sharp forsmooth skating, sharp turns, etc., especially by figure skaters, hockeyplayers and even the occasional recreational skater. However, walkingwith skates on over concrete, hard floor surfaces, grass, etc., quicklydulls the blade edge making it more harder to skate.

Skate guards formed of rubber or other soft, flexible elastomericmaterials are commonly applied over the skate blade to protect the skateblade between uses. While it is possible to walk with the skate guardson the skates and have some measure of protection for the blade, thesharp blade edges can cut through the soft material of the skate guardrendering it useless. In addition, it can be difficult to walk on skateblades due to the slightly wider skate guard mounted on the blade.

To address these problems, or to merely provide a skate which isconvertible from an ice skate to a roller skate, roller assemblies havebeen devised which mount over the skate blade and provide a plurality ofrolling surfaces to enable a skater to more efficiently move overnon-ice surfaces while at the same time protecting the ice skate bladeedges. What is still needed, however, is an ice skate blade protectiondevice which enables a skater to easily move about non-ice surfacesbetween the ice surface and the location where the skater intends to puton or take off his or her skates which can be easily applied to a skateblade, and which has adjustability to accommodate different length skateblades.

It would also be desirable to provide a roller apparatus which ismountable over an ice skate blade which evens out the pressure on theblade edges and distributes the pressure outward to the rollers orwheels when the skater is walking on non-ice surfaces to reduce twistingtorque.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a roller apparatus releasibly attachable to anice skate blade to provide rolling capability for the user of a pair ofice skates when the user is not on an ice surface.

In one aspect, the invention is an attachment to a skate guard having anopen ended, longitudinally extended recess for receiving a skate bladetherein and a plurality of apertures extending transverselytherethrough.

An optional heel strap is mounted in one of the apertures in the skateguard and wrapped about one end of the blade holder connecting the bladeto a skate boot. A rail has a base wall and a pair of sidewallsextending therefrom. The sidewalls are spaced apart to slidably receivethe skate guard therein.

A plurality of pairs of transverse apertures in the sidewalls of therail are alignable with the at least one aperture in the skate guard. Apair of axles carrying wheels are mounted in one pair of apertures inthe rail and the apertures in the skate guard.

Another optional front or toe strap may be mountable over the bladeholder and attachable to the skate guard or the rail to secure theforward end of the skate to the skate guard and/or rail. The front strapmay be provided in different configurations, each including a strapmember which have a slight amount of elasticity and connector meanscarried on the strap member for tightly securing the strap member to theskate guard, the rail and the blade holder.

The front or toe strap connector means may be in the form ofinterlocking hook and pile sections, an inter-engagable enlarged headand one or more apertures on the strap member, a plurality of spacedapertures which receive a plurality of spaced projections carried on anopposite end of the strap member, a pin mountable through alignedapertures in the rail and the skate guard which is mountable over anaperture in one end of the strap member, the other end of the strapmember, after being tightly wrapped around the rail, the skate guard andthe blade holder, engages an opposite outwardly extending end of thepin. The front or toe strap may also be an elastic member havingenlarged heads at opposite ends which are engagable with oppositesidewalls of the rail. One end of the strap member may be releasibly orpermanently fixed in the skate guard or the rail. The other end of thestrap member is wrapped around the rail, the skate guard and the bladeholder and releasibly disposed another apertured in the skate guard.

In one aspect, the rail of the roller apparatus is formed as a onepiece, monolithic member. In another aspect, the rail is formed of twoseparate rail portions, each receiving an elongated skate guardtherethrough in a spaced apart arrangement. One axle of each of thepairs of wheel assemblies is mountable through apertures in each railportion.

A rear lock element is carried on the rear end of the rail and overlaysthe rear edge of the ice skate blade to assist in securing the heelportion of the ice skate blade to the roller apparatus.

In another aspect of the present invention, wheel mounting means arecarried on the rail for mounting a plurality of rotatable wheels to therail. In one aspect, the wheel mounting means includes a pair of platesfixed to the rail at one end and having an opposed end depending fromthe rail. The opposed end supports a wheel axle in a wheel.

The plates may be separately fixed to the rail by means of mechanicalfasteners, welds, etc. as well as being monolithically formed as a onepiece molded or cast part of the rail.

The wheel mounting means supports at least one frontmost wheel and atleast one rearmost wheel in an axially inline configuration on the rail.The wheel mounting means may also support a plurality of frontmostmounted wheels and/or a plurality of rearmost mounted wheels, allaxially in line.

In another aspect of the invention, optional lock means are provided forlocking the skate blade in the skate guard carried in the rail. The lockmeans is carried on the rail by mounting on one of the wheel mountingmeans or plates. In one aspect, the lock means includes a spring biasedpin which is retracted away from a first position overlaying the recessin the skate guard to assist in retaining a skate blade in the skateguard by means of a moveable actuator which is coupled to an oppositeend of the pin. The actuator may be a pivotal lever or a pull ring.

In another aspect, the lock means includes a rotatable cam which ismoveable between a first position overlaying the recess in the skateguard and a second retracted position. An actuator or lever mounted in ahousing carried on one of the wheel mounting plates moves the cambetween the first and second positions.

In another aspect, a brake member is attached to the rail to provide afriction surface to assist the user in stopping forward movement.

The present apparatus provides a unique roller apparatus which isattachable over a conventional ice skate guard to provide easyrollability to ice skates when the skater is not on an ice surface. Theinventive apparatus is easily applied to an existing skate and employs acommonly available skate guard. The inventive apparatus alsoaccommodates different length skates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features, advantages and other uses of the present inventionwill become more apparent by referring to the following detaileddescription and drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one aspect of the inventiveapparatus applied to a hockey skate;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional skate guard with whichthe present apparatus may be employed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heel strap used with the skate guardshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one aspect of a channel of the presentapparatus;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of a modification to the channel shownin FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6-9 are perspective views of different aspects of a toe strapemployed in the present apparatus;

FIG. 10 is an exploded, perspective view of another aspect of thepresent apparatus employed with a figure skate;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view through one of the wheel assemblies ofthe present apparatus;

FIG. 12 is an exploded, partial, perspective view of an alternate aspectof the present apparatus shown employed with a figure skate blade;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the rear portion of the channel shownin FIG. 12, but depicted in a modified configuration;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view through one of the wheel assembliesshowing the modified rear channel portion depicted in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of another aspect of the presentapparatus employed with a hockey skate;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line 16-16 inFIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of another aspect of the presentapparatus employed with a hockey skate;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line 18-18 inFIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of another aspect of the presentapparatus employed with a hockey skate;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line 20-20 inFIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing another aspect of a toe strapemployed with the apparatus shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of a prior art ice blade and bladeholder;

FIG. 23 is a side elevational view showing another aspect of the presentapparatus employed with the ice blade and blade holder shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line 24-24 inFIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of another aspect of the presentapparatus;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line 26-26 inFIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of another aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line 28-28 inFIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a modification to the apparatus shownin FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a front perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of another aspect of a roller elementattachment according to the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a plan view of one aspect of the lock means shown in FIGS. 27and 30;

FIG. 33 is a plan view of a another aspect of the lock means usable inthe present invention;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing another aspect of a lock meansaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a plan view of the lock means shown in FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is an exploded, cross sectional view generally taken along line36-36 in FIG. 29;

FIG. 37 is a plan view of another aspect of a lock means according tothe present invention;

FIG. 38 is a plan view of yet another aspect of a lock means accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 39 is a partial, perspective view showing the lock means of FIG. 38mounted on the rail;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of another aspect of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 41 is a rear view, partially cross-section, of the apparatus shownin FIG. 40.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawing, there is depicted a roller apparatusmountable on an ice skate to enable a skater wearing the ice skate toeasily move across non-ice surfaces, typically between an ice rink orice surface and a parking lot, locker room, home, etc.

The present apparatus is employable with any conventional ice skate,such as the hockey skate 40 shown in FIG. 1, a figure skate 42 shown byway of example in FIG. 10 and partially in FIG. 11, as well as speedskates which have a typically longer blade than hockey or figure skates.

By way of example only, the skate 40 includes a boot 44 having a sole 46to which is mounted a blade holder 48. The blade holder 48 is typicallyformed of plastic and is fixedly mounted to the sole 46 by means ofrivets, not shown. The blade holder 48 carries an ice blade 50. Theblade 50 can be solid or provided with a plurality of lighteningapertures 52 as shown in FIG. 22.

In most of the aspects of the present invention described hereafter, theinventive apparatus makes use of a skate guard 56 shown generally inFIG. 2. The skate guard 56 is typically formed of a relatively, soft,flexible material, such as rubber or an elastomer. The skate guard 56has an elongated, generally planar portion 58 with a centrally located,open-ended recess 60 extending from a first or heel end 62 to anopposed, upturned, second, toe end 64. Although the planar portion 58can be solid, it is known to provide a plurality of open ended,generally key-hole shaped slots 66 extending from a bottom surface 68along at least a portion of or over the entire length of the planarportion 58. The slots 66 adjustably and optionally receive a heel strap70 shown in FIG. 3. The heel strap 70 is also formed of an elasticmaterial and has a U-shaped portion 72 with two opposed walls and aninterconnecting pin 74 at one end. The pin 74 is sized to snap into oneof the apertures 66 in the skate guard 56 to releasibly mount the heelstrap 70 to the skate guard 56. The closed end 76 of the heel strap 70then is wrapped around the heel portion of the blade holder 48 as shownin FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4-9, there is depicted one aspect of aroller apparatus 80 according to the present invention which isreleasibly mountable on the skate guard 76 and secured over the skateblade 50 to provide rolling capabilities to a skater when wearing an iceskate. The roller apparatus 80 includes a support 82 for receiving theskate guard 56. The support 82 is in the form of an elongated, generallyplanar, channel or rail member having opposed sidewalls 84 and 86 whichextend angularly, typically perpendicularly, from a central bottom wall88. The sidewalls 84 and 86 and the bottom wall 88 define a generallyU-shaped cross section defining an interior opening which is sized tosnugly, but releasibly receive the skate guard 56 therein.

In the aspect of the rail 82 shown in FIG. 4, the upper ends of thesidewalls 84 and 86 have inward turned flanges or lips 90 and 92,respectively, forming an elongated opening 94 extending along the lengthof the channel 82 from a first end 96 to an opposed second end 98. Theflanges 90 and 92 securely retainer the guard 56 in the rail 82.

In an alternate aspect shown in FIG. 5, a modified rail 82′ has the ends90′ and 92′ of the sidewalls 84 and 86 disposed generally inline withthe extent of the sidewalls 84 and 86, rather than formed as inwardturned or extending flanges.

A plurality of apertures 100 are formed along at least a portion of thelength of the sidewalls 84 and 86 generally in close proximity to thebottom wall 88. The apertures 100 are arranged in co-axial pairs in thesidewalls 84 and 86.

A notch 102 is formed in the sidewalls 84 and 86 and the bottom wall 88intermediate the first and second ends 96 and 98. The notch 102 exposesan intermediate portion of the skate guard 56 for attachment of the pin74 to one of the apertures 66 in the skate guard 56 to assist insecuring the skate guard 66 as well as the roller apparatus 80 to a heelportion 49 of the blade holder 48 on the skate 40.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, according to one aspect of the presentinvention, the skate guard 56 may be provided with an aperture 110generally located in the toe portion 64. The aperture 110 receives oneend of a front strap 112 shown in one aspect in FIG. 1 and in alternateaspects in FIGS. 6-9 and subsequent drawing figures. Generally, all ofthe different aspects of the front strap described hereafter have anelongated, strap-like configuration form of a strap portion 114 andfirst and second releasibly connectable ends which are joined togetherby suitable fastening means as described hereafter.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front strap 112 is designed to pass through theaperture 110 in the skate guard 56 and extend around an end of the toesupport portion 54 of the holder 48, through the aperture 51 in theholder 48 between the toe support 54 and the heel support 49, and thenis secured to itself as described hereafter to secure the toe or frontportion of the skate guard 56 and the rail 80 carried thereon securelyon the skate blade 50.

Various aspects of the front strap may be employed, with the front strap112 shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 generally having intermeshing hook and pileportions 116 and 118 on the same or opposite sides of the strap portion114 which are securable to themselves in a tight, releasible manner.

In another aspect of a front strap 120 shown in FIG. 7, the front strap120 has a strap portion 122 with an enlarged end having an aperture 124formed therein. The opposite end of the strap portion 122 is formed in agenerally T-shape 126. As can be seen, the T-shaped end 126, after beingwrapped around the toe support 54 on the blade holder 48 is, slidablethrough the aperture 124 to secure the strap 122 in a tight loop aboutthe toe support 54 and the toe portion of the skate guard 56 through theaperture 110.

Another aspect of a front strap 130 is shown in FIG. 8. In this aspect,the front strap 130 includes a strap portion 132 with a necked downportion 134 at one end terminating in a head or ball-shaped member 136.The opposite end of the strap portion 132 is formed with at least oneand, preferably, two or more axially spaced apertures, with key-holedslot shaped apertures being shown by way of example only.

In use, the strap portion 132 is extended through the aperture 110 inthe skate guard 56 and wrapped around the holder toe support 54 untilthe head 136 inserted through the enlarged end of one of the slots 138and urged to the narrow end of the slot 138 to secure the ends of thestrap 132 together.

In yet another aspect of a front strap 140, shown in FIG. 9, the frontstrap 140 includes an elongated, generally planar strap portion 142having at least one and, preferably, a plurality of outward extendingprojections 144 at one end and at least one and, preferably, a pluralityof complementary sized apertures 146 at an opposite end. After the strapportion 142 is inserted through the aperture 110 in the skate guard 56and wrapped around the holder toe support 54, one or more of theprojections 144 are inserted through the aligned apertures 146 totightly secure the front strap 140 to the skate guard 56 and the holdertoe support 54.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, there is depicted a wheel assemblywhich may be employed, by way of example, in the roller apparatus 80.The roller apparatus 80 is provided with a pair of substantiallyidentical wheel or roller assemblies 150 and 152, each of which includesa cylindrical axle 154, formed of a high strength material, such asmetal, i.e., steel. A centrally located spacer bushing 156 extendsthrough one of the slots 66 in the skate guard 56. Each wheel 158 and160, which may be formed of a urethane or other suitable skate wheelmaterial, is also provided with a pair of wheel bushings 162 at oppositeends of an aperture receiving the axle 154 therethrough.

An enlarged head 164 is formed on one end of the axle 156 and isdisposed exteriorly of the side surface of one of the wheels, such aswheel 160. The opposite wheel 158 has an aperture at one end of the boreextending through the wheel 158. The end 166 of the axle 154 is formedwith an internally threaded bore 168 which receives a fastener, such asa screw 170 to secure the wheels 158 and 160 to the axle 154, the skateguard 56 and the rail 82. The provision of a plurality of pairs ofapertures 100 in the rail 82 enables the wheel assembly 150 and 152 tobe spaced as desired on the rail 82 to accommodate different lengthskates, a skater's particular preference, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is depicted another aspect of a supportfor the skate guard 56. Although the support shown in FIG. 12 isdepicted as being usable with a figure skate wherein the blade 180 has atoe connector arm 181 and a heel connector arm 183 which are fixedlymounted to the skate sole, it will be understood that the support shownin FIG. 12 and described in greater detail hereafter, can also beemployed with the hockey skate 40 shown in FIG. 1.

In this aspect of the invention, the skate guard support is formed oftwo separate support members including a first support member 182adapted to be disposed adjacent the toe portion of the skate guard 56and the toe connector arm 181, and a second support portion 184 adaptedto be disposed adjacent the heel of the skate guard 56 and the heelconnector arm 183.

Both of the first and second support members 182 and 184 hassubstantially the same shape including, for the first support member182, a pair of opposed sidewalls 186 and 188 which extend generallyperpendicularly from a base wall 190. The outer ends of the sidewalls186 and 188 are formed within inward extending lips or flanges 192.Alternately, the ends of the sidewalls 186 and 188 may have thegenerally planar shape without the inward turned lips as shown in FIG.5.

A plurality of apertures 194 are formed in aligned pairs in thesidewalls 186 and 188 at a spacing generally complementary to thespacing of the slots 66 in the skate guard 56.

Similarly, the second support portion 184 is formed with opposedsidewalls 196 and 198, each of which extend generally perpendicularlyfrom a base wall 200. The ends of the sidewalls 196 and 198 may beformed with or without inward turned flanges 202. A plurality ofapertures 204 are formed in aligned pairs in the sidewalls 196 and 198for alignment with the slots 66 in the skate guard 56.

The first and second support members 182 and 184 each have an interioropening sized to slidably receive the skate guard 56 therethrough. Eachof the support members 182 and 184 will be fixed in place on the skateguard 56 by insertion of one of the axles 154 on the wheel pairs througha selected one of the apertures 194 in the first support portion 182, orthe aperture 204 in the second support member 184 and the correspondingslots 66 in the skate guard.

The provision of the plurality of apertures 194 and 204 in the first andsecond support members 182 and 184 allow for longitudinal adjustment ofthe spacing between the wheel pairs as well as the position of the firstand second support members 182 and 184 on the skate guard 56 and theattached skate. Also, the plurality of pairs of apertures in eachsupport members 182 and 184 allow for longitudinal adjustment of theposition of the wheel assemblies 150 and 152. This allows the user toprovide any wheel spacing and support position to achieve the desiredbalance and ease of use desired by the user.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, a modification to the second supportportion 184 is depicted. It will be understood that this modificationmay also be employed with the one-piece channel or rail 82 describedabove and shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the second support portion 184 is formedwith a lock element 206 in the form of a plate extending completelyacross the upper ends of the sidewalls 196 and 198 and completelyclosing off the recess or channel 208 formed between the inwardextending lips 202 or the sidewalls 196 and 198. The lock element 206 ispositioned to be disposed over the upper edge of the rear end 210 of askate blade 180 thereby providing additional locking capability tosecure the skate blade 180 and the rail or support member 184 on theskate blade 180.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, there is depicted an alternate aspectof a front strap 210. The front strap 210 is usable with a keeper pin212 having an elongated shank 214 and an enlarged head 216. The keeperpin 212 is adapted to be inserted through a selected pair of alignedapertures 100 in the rail 82 and one of the slots 66 in the skate guard66. The front strap 210 is in the form of an elongated, generally planarstrap having an aperture 218 at one end and an aperture 220 at anopposite end. The strap 210 is preferable formed of a material with atleast a slight elasticity.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the shank 214 of the keeper pin 212 isinserted through the aperture 218 in one end of the strap 210 and thenthrough a selected pair of apertures 100 in the rail 82 and one of theslots 66 in the skate guard 56. The strap 210 is then wrapped around theexterior of the rail 82 and the blade holder 48 through the aperture 51in the blade holder 48, over the opposite side of the blade holder 48and the sidewall 84 of the rail 82 until the aperture 220 in theopposite end of the strap 210 can be urged over the exposed end of theshank 214 of the keeper pin 212. This fixes the strap 210 about the rail82 and the blade holder 48 to secure the forward end or toe portion ofthe rail 82 and the skate guard 56 to the blade holder 48.

Yet another aspect of a front strap 224 is shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Inthis aspect, the front strap 224 includes an elongated, generally planarstrap member 226 having an aperture 228, which may be in the form of akeyhole slot, formed at one end. The opposite end of the strap member226 is formed with an enlarged head 230.

In this aspect, at least the end portion of the strap member 226extending from the head 230, and possibly the entire length of the strapmember 226 may be formed of a slightly rigid enough material to enablethe strap member 226 to be easily inserted through an aligned pair ofapertures 100 in the rail 82 and one of the slots 66 in the skate guard56.

As shown in FIG. 18, in use, the free end of the strap member 226 isinserted through one pair of aligned apertures 100 in the rail 82 andone of the slots 66 in the skate guard 56 until the head 230 abuts thesidewall 84. The strap member 226, after exiting the opposed aperture100, is wrapped around the sidewall 86 of the rail 82 and the bladeholder 48, through the central aperture 51 in the blade holder 48, andover the opposed sidewall 84 of the rail 82 to a position bringing theaperture 228 in proximity with the enlarged head 230 at the opposite endof the strap member 226. The enlarged head 230 is then inserted throughthe enlarged end of the aperture 228 allowing the adjacent narrower orsmaller diameter portion of the strap member 226 adjacent to theenlarged head 230 to be slid into the narrower width portion of the slot228 to lock the end of the strap member 226 in the slot 228 and tightlysecure the strap member 228 about the rail 82, the skate guard 56 andthe blade holder 48.

Yet another aspect of a front strap and modified rail are shown in FIGS.19 and 20. In this aspect of the invention, the rail 82 is formed withan additional notch 236 extending through a lower portion of thesidewalls 84 and 86 and a portion of the bottom wall 88. The notch 236exposes one or more of the slots 66 in the skate guard 66 to view asshown in FIG. 19.

In this aspect, a front strap 238, formed of a generally planar strapmember 240 substantially similar to the front strap 224 described aboveand shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, is provided with at least one andpreferably, a pair of apertures at a first end. The opposite end of thestrap member 240 is formed with an enlarged head 242. The apertured endof the strap member 240 is first urged through one of the slots 66 inthe skate guard 56 exposed to view by the notch 236 in the rail 82 untilthe head 242 abuts the sidewall 86. The strap member 240 is then passedover the sidewall 84 of the rail 82 and around and through the centralaperture 51 in the blade holder 48 to bring the opposed apertured end ofthe strap member 240 over a pair of projections 244 generally in theform of headed screws mounted in the sidewall 86 of the rail 82. The oneor more apertures in the end of the strap member 240 are inserted overthe one or more projections 244 to fixedly lock the strap 238 around theblade holder 48, the rail 82 and the skate guard 56.

FIG. 21 depicts a modified strap 248 usable with the modified rail 82shown in FIG. 19. In this aspect, the strap 248 has two enlarged heads250 and 252 formed at each opposed end. The strap 248 is preferablyprovided with at least slightly elastic properties enabling it to beinserted through one of the slots 66 in the skate guard 56 bringing onehead 250 in engagement with one sidewall 84. For example, the strap 248maybe a bungee cord with out the metal end hooks. The strap 248 is thenpassed around the sidewall 84 of the rail 82 and through the centralaperture 51 in the blade holder 48, and around the opposed sidewall 86of the rail 82. The strap 248 is further inserted through an adjacentslot 66 in the skate guard 56 until the opposed head 252 is disposedadjacent to the opposite sidewall 84 of the rails 82. This wrappedarrangement of the strap 248 tightly secures the forward or toe end ofthe skate 240 to the blade holder 48, the skate guard 56 and the rail82. The strap 248 may be releasibly engagable with one of open-endsslots 66 or have one end non-releasibly mounted in a closed aperture inteh skate guard 56.

Referring now to FIGS. 23 and 24, there is depicted another aspect of aroller apparatus employing a unique front strap according to the presentinvention.

This aspect of the invention makes use of the lightening apertures 56 inthe blade 50 shown in FIG. 22. A keeper pin 254 having an elongatedshank 256 terminating in an enlarged head 258 is inserted through onealigned pair of apertures 100 in the rail 82, an upper end of a slot 66in the skate guard 56 and one of the lightening apertures 52 in theskate blade 50. The strap member 260 has an enlarged head 262 at oneend. The head 262 secures one end of the strap 260 in position abuttingthe sidewall 84. The strap 260 is then inserted through an aligned pairof apertures 100 in the rail 82 and one slot 66 in the skate guard 56,along the sidewall 84 to an opposite end. An aperture 262 is formed atthe end and is mountable over the shank 256 of the keeper pin 254adjacent to the head 258.

Finally, referring now to FIGS. 25 and 26, there is depicted yet anotheraspect of a roller apparatus according to the present invention. In thisaspect, the roller apparatus makes use of the pairs of wheel assemblies150 and 152 containing wheels 160 mounted on an axle 154 extendingthrough one of a plurality of closed apertures 270 which are linearlyspaced along a length of a skate guard 272. The closed apertures 270 canbe continuous along the length of the skate guard 272, at least in thearea of the wheel assemblies 150 and 152 or interrupted by opened endslots, like slots 66 for receiving the pin 74 on the heel strap 70. Theskate guard 272 is otherwise constructed in the same manner as the skateguard 56 to include an open ended recess extending from an upper end forreceiving the skate blade 50 therethrough. A bushing 274 may beinterposed over the axle 154 in one of the apertures 270 to rotatablysupport the axle 154 in one aperture 270 in the skate guard 272.

The heel strap 70 described above is mounted in another one of theapertures 270 by providing the pin 74 with a snap connection, typicallythrough an aperture in one end of the strap 70 to secure the strap 70 tothe skate guard 272 and wrapped in a position in which the closed end 76of the strap 70 is wrapped around the outer surface of the heel portionof the blade holder 48. Although a front strap is not shown in FIG. 25,it will be understood that any of the front straps described above maybe employed in this aspect of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 27, 28, 30 and 32, there is depicted anotheraspect of the roller apparatus 300 according to the present invention.The roller apparatus 300 makes use of the rail 82, skate guard 56 andblade 50 described above. Heel strap 70 is also employed in the rollerapparatus 300.

The roller apparatus 300 includes a rear wheel assembly 302 and a frontwheel assembly 304 which are each adapted for supporting one or morerollers or wheels 306 and 308, respectively, in an in-line configurationdirectly under the rail 82.

The rear wheel assembly 302, shown in greater detail in FIG. 28, is inthe form of a pair of plate members 310 and 312 which are affixed at oneend to the sidewalls 84 and 86, respectively, of the rail 82 and have asecond depending end 314 carrying an aperture 316 for receiving an axleor pin 318 which is fixedly mounted by means of end caps 320 to theplates 310 and 312 to support the roller 306 directly below the skateblade 50.

The plates 310 and 312 can be fixed to the sidewalls 84 and 86 of therail 82 by suitable means, including welding, as well as the illustratednut 322 and bolt 324 which extend through apertures in the plates 310and 312 and aligned ones of the apertures 100 in the sidewalls 84 and 86of the rail 82 and one aperture 66 in the skate guard 56.

The roller or wheel 306 may be any conventional in-line skate roller orwheel and may be provided with a central hub which has an inner bearingsurface engaged with a smooth shank portion of the bolt 324.

The plates 310 and 312 may also be integrally formed as one piece withthe rail 82 as shown for the rear wheel plate 312′ in the modified rail82′ in FIG. 29. In this aspect of the invention, the rear wheel mountingplates are each integrally formed, such as by molding or casting, on thesidewall 84′ of the rail 82′ and the opposed sidewall, not shown.

A further aspect of the rear wheel assembly and also the front wheelassembly is shown in FIG. 31 and includes a plurality of rollers 330 and332 mounted in a cage 344 formed of a generally tubular body fixed, suchas by welding, between two enlarged side plates 336 and 338. Axles foreach of the rollers 330 and 332 extend through the plates 336 and 338and terminates in heads 340. A plurality of apertures 342 are formed ineach plate 336 and 338 for receiving fasteners which extend throughaligned ones of the apertures 342 and the apertures 100 in the sidewalls284 and 286 of the rail 82 and the aperture 66 in the skate guard 56.

The front wheel support 304 includes a pair of front plates 350 and 352certain of which are adjustably alignable with apertures 100 in the rail82 and one aperture 66 in the skate guard 56 for receiving fasteners,such as nuts and bolts both denoted by reference number 354, to securethe plates 350 and 352 to the forward end of the rail 82.

Similarly, the at least one wheel or roller 308 is mounted on an axle358 extending through apertures in the plates 350 and 352. The roller308 is supported axially in-line with the rear mounted roller 306.

An optional support pin 360 extends through aligned apertures in theplates 350 and 352. The pin 362 underlies the bottom wall of the rail 82for added front end support of the rail 82.

The single roller 308 and the plates 350 and 352 may be replaced by thecarriage assembly 334 shown in FIG. 31 to provide a plurality, such astwo or more rollers 330 and 332, at the forward end of the rollerapparatus 300.

In addition, the plates 350′ and 352′ may be integrally formed, such asby welding or molding, as a unitary, one-piece part of the rail 82′ asshown in FIG. 29. This integral mounting eliminates the need for thefasteners 354.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the rollerapparatus 300 includes an optional lock means 370 on the forward end ofthe rail 82. The lock means includes a member which is moveable from afirst retracted position laterally outboard of the blade 50 and theskate guard 56 to permit insertion or removal of the skate blade 50 intoor out of the skate guard 56 carried in the rail 82, and a second,inward extending position, shown in FIGS. 27 and 32, in which a innerend 372 of the moveable member, such as pin 374, overlays and may be incontact with or closely spaced from the upper surface of the blade 50 toassist in securing the forward end of the blade 50 in the skate guard 56and rail 82.

The lock means 370, in the aspect shown in FIGS. 27, 30 and 32, includesthe pin 374 which is mounted in a housing 376 carrying an internalspring which normally biases the end 372 of the pin 374 outward from thehousing 376. A nut 378 is engagable around a threaded portion of theexterior of the housing 376 for securing the housing 376 to one of theplates, such as an enlargement or plate 354. An end 376 of the pin 374opposite from the end 372 has an aperture which receives a transversepin 378 which secures an actuator, such as a lever or handle 380, to theend 376 of the pin 374. Movement of the actuator 380 in the direction ofarrow 382 retracts the end 374 of the pin 372 into or toward the housing376 to disengage the end 372 of the pin 374 from the skate blade 50allowing insertion or removal of the skate blade 50 into and out of theskate guard 56. Release of actuating force on the lever 380 allows theinternal biasing means or spring in the housing 376 to re-extend the end372 of the pin 374 over the upper edge of the skate blade 50.

Another aspect of a lock means 385 is shown in FIG. 33. This aspect issimilar to the lock means 370 shown in FIG. 32 except that the pivotalactuator or lever 380 is replaced by a pull ring 386 which is mountedthrough the aperture in the end 376 of the pin 374. Movement of the pin374 is effected in the same manner as with the lever 380 by pulling andrelease of the pull ring 386. The lock means 385 and most of thecomponents of the lock means 370 are commercially available as a QuickRelease Pin from Pivot Point, Inc., Hustisford, Wis.

Another aspect of the lock means 390 according to the present inventionis shown in FIGS. 34 and 35. The lock means 390 operates on a camprincipal. A support 392 is fixed, such as by fasteners 394 or welds, toan end portion of the front wheel support plate 352. The support 392carries a rotatable lever 396 which is secured about a pivot axis 398shown in FIG. 35 to a rotatable member 400 having an outwardly extendingcam 402. Rotatable movement of the lever 396 rotates the member 400 inthe opposed directions of arrow 404 to bring cam 402 into and out ofengagement with skate blade 50 to allow insertion and/or removal of theskate blade 50 to and from the skate guard 56 while providing additionalsupport to retain the skate blade 50 in the skate guard 56 and theattached rail 82 during use of the roller apparatus 300.

Another aspect of a lock means 440 as shown in FIG. 37. The lock means460 is similar to the lock means 370 shown in FIG. 32 in that itincludes a moveable pen 374 having a first end 372 and an opposed secondend 375. A nut 378 secures a pin housing 376 to mounting plate 352 onthe rail 56. A yoke 446 is mounted by means of suitable fasteners, forexample, on the plate 352 and pivotally receives a mating tongue of anactuator lever 442. The biasing means 448, such as a coiled spring, ismounted between a post on the yoke 446 and a portion of the actuatorlever 442 for normally biasing the lever 442 to a first position inwhich the end 372 of the pin 374 is extended outward from the pinhousing 376 and overlays the top edge of the blade 50 to lock the blade50 in the rail 56. The other end of the actuator lever 442 overlays theend 376 of the pin 374. An aperture 443 in the pin 374 receives a plungepin which extends through a lined bores in the actuator lever 442 topivotally couple the actuator lever 442 to the pin 374. In this manner,the biasing means 448 normally biases the actuator lever 442 to a firstposition in which the end 372 of the pin 374 is extended outward fromthe pin housing 376 and overlays the skate blade 50 to lock the skateblade 50 in the rail 56. Pressure applied in the direction of arrow 452on one end of the actuator lever 442 causes the opposite end of theactuator lever to pivot in the direction of arrow 454 thereby retractingthe pin 372 and enabling the blade 50 of the skate to be removed fromthe rail 56.

Yet another aspect of a lock means 460 according to the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 38 and 39. The lock means 460 includes aplate 462 which is mounted to the rail 56 by means of suitable fasteners354. A yoke 464 is fixedly mounted on the plate 462 by suitable means,such as fasteners or rivets 463. The yoke 464 supports a pivot pin 465which extends through a tongue portion of an actuating lever 466 topivotally couple the actuator lever 466 to the yoke 464. A biasing means468 is mounted between a pin on one end 467 of the actuator lever 466and an aligned pin on a mounting leg of the yoke 464. The biasing means468 which is shown by way of example only as being a coil spring, exertsa biasing force on one end of the actuator lever 466 to bias theactuator lever 466 to a first position shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 in thedirection of arrow 474.

The other end 472 of the actuator lever 466 is elongated and is disposedto extend through an aperture 470 in the mounting plate 462 when theactuator 466 is in the first position. In this first position, an end473 of the end 472 of the actuator lever 466 extends through theaperture 470 in the plate 462 and overlays the upper or top edge of theblade 50 to lock the blade 50 in the rail 56. A force exerted againstthe end 467 of the actuator lever 466 causes pivotal movement of theactuator lever 466 in the direction of arrow 476 thereby retracting theend 473 into or through the slot 470 to enable the blade 50 to beremoved from the rail 50.

Referring now to FIGS. 29 and 36, there is depicted another feature ofthe present invention in the form of a brake or stop member 420. Thebrake or stop member is formed of a pad 422 constructed of a resilientmaterial, such as rubber, an elastomer, etc. The pad 422 has anirregularly cubical, block-like shape with a generally flat or arcuatelower surface 424 adapted to engage the ground for a friction stop.

A pair of arms 426 and 428 integrally or fixed extend from the block 422in a spaced apart manner. Each arm 426 and 428 has a through bore 430and 432, respectively, which are aligned for receiving a fastening meanswhich may be in the form of a headed pin 434 having an internallythreaded bore 436 extending from one end. The pin 434 is insertedthrough the aligned apertures and separate bores 438 and 440 formed inthe sidewalls 84 and 86 of the rail 82 and a through bore 442 formed inthe skate guard 56. The bores 438, 440 and 442 are aligned, as shown inFIG. 36 for receiving the pin 434 therethrough. A separated threadedscrew 444, having an enlarged head, is threaded into the threaded bore436 at the end of the pin 434 to secure the pin 434 in the arms 426 and428 thereby securing the break or stop member 420 to the rear end of therail 82.

In use, with the brake member 422 attached to the rear end of the rail82, the user need only tilt the rail 82 upward about the rear end tobring the surface 424 of the brake 420 into engagement with theunderlying surface to provide friction to stop movement of the user.

Referring now to FIGS. 40 and 41, there is depicted a combined rearwheel mount, heel strap mount and an alternate heel strap. The rearwheel mount in this aspect of the invention, is in the form of twoplates 480 and 482, each having a generally planar configuration but anirregular shaped periphery. At least one and preferably a plurality ofspaced mounting holes for 484 are mounted linearly along a lower portionof each mounting plate 480 and 482. The mounting holes 484 receivefasteners 486 to secure each mounting plate 480 and 482 to a rail 488.The rail 488 is similar to the previously described rails, except thatit has a continuous, non-interrupted cross-section lacking the notch102.

The apertures 484 allow fore and aft adjustment of the position of therear mounting plates 480 and 482 on the rail 488 to accommodatedifferent length skate blades. One or more of the rear mountingapertures 484 may also be employed to receive fasteners to attach abrake pad 420 to the mounting plates 480 and 482, as described above andshown in FIG. 29.

The lower portion of each mounting plate 480 and 482 has an aperturewhich receives a pivot pin 490 for rotatably supporting at least onerear wheel or roller 306.

At least one and preferably a plurality of spaced apertures 492 areformed in an upper portion of each rear mounting plate 480 and 482. Theapertures 492 receive opposite ends 496 and 498 of a stretchable orelastic heel strap 494 as shown in FIGS. 40 and 41. The heel strap 494which may be provided in different widths and lengths is appliable overthe rear edge of a blade holder 500. Securing means 502, in the form ofbodies having opposed slots 504 extending laterally therethrough receivethe ends 496 and 498 of the heel strap 494 in a back and forth wovenpattern to secure the ends 496 and 498 in the bodies 502.

The ends 496 and 498 of the heel strap may be extended through any ofthe apertures 492 in the mounting plates 480 and 482 to provide a tautsecuring force for the heel strap 494 against the blade holder 500despite a lengthwise adjustment of the mounting plates 480 and 482relative to the rail 488. Alternately, the ends 496 and 498 of the heelstrap 494 may be inserted through any of the apertures 492 to provide adifferent, i.e., higher or lower, securing force on the blade holder 500to secure the rear portion of the skate in the roller apparatus.

The present invention provides a unique roller apparatus which can beeasily mounted on an ice skate over the skate blade with or without anintervening skate guard mounted over the skate blade to provide easyrolling capability for the user while wearing the skates and not on anice surface while at the same time protecting the sharp edges of the iceblade from dulling or damage cause by contact with a non-ice surface.The roller apparatus makes use of the heel strap employed with existingskate guards as well as one of several different front straps and/orlocks to securely, yet releasibly mount the roller apparatus about theskate guard and inserted skate blade. The roller apparatus can beprovided with pairs of laterally spaced front end rear wheels as well asa plurality of axially in-line wheels.

1-59. (canceled)
 60. A roller apparatus releasibly mountable over an iceskate blade attached to a boot by a blade mount and comprising: a skateguard having an open ended channel for receiving a skate ice blade andextending a length; a plurality of apertures extending transversely tosaid length in a longitudinally spaced manner along said length of saidskate guard; pairs of wheel assemblies, each having an axle mountablethrough one of said apertures in said skate guard, said skate guardsupporting the wheel assemblies a heel strap formed of elastic materialfor maintaining said skate guard on the blade, wherein said heel strapincludes a portion receivable in one of said apertures such that eitherone of said wheel assemblies or said heel strap is receivable in any oneof said plurality of apertures. 61-68. (canceled)
 69. The rollerapparatus of claim 60 wherein said portion of said heel strap is a pin.70. The roller apparatus of claim 60 wherein each of said plurality ofapertures is further defined as an open slot.